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"The War with Iran: Updated Status"
Ynet News, June 19, 2025 (as of 11:40 am Eastern)
2,345 wounded; 24 civilians killed; 45 areas hit; 1,000 drones launched from Iran; 445 missiles launched from Iran; 3,822 civilians evacuated, 7,457 alert sirens.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
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Israel at War
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We are watching intently Israel's sophisticated, tightly targeted, and successful attacks on Iran's military and nuclear capabilities, and the waves of missiles and drones that Iran has launched at Israeli population centers in response.
From the Mossad-built base inside Iran that launched explosive drones against Iranian air defense and missile launch facilities, to the strike that eliminated the top Iranian Air Force commanders in one blow, to Israel gaining control of all Iran's air space just two days into the war, Israel's attack on Iran has been a series of daring tactical and strategic wins.
However, within Israel, Iran's response has taken a toll. As of today, 24 people have died and more than 2,300 have been injured by the 1,000 drones and 445 ballistic missiles that Iran has fired at Israel. Apartment buildings and synagogues have been hit. Laboratories at the Weizmann Institute of Science, including a cancer research lab, were destroyed. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the US embassy in Tel Aviv have suffered damage.
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Soroka Hospital in Beersheba in the south of Israel took a direct hit. x.com/@spectatorindex
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Last night, the Soroka Hospital in southern Israel took a direct hit and a third-floor surgical ward was destroyed. (Read here how one man's decision to evacuate that floor just 24 hours earlier saved the lives of patients and staff.) Soroka Hospital is the Level 1 trauma center that treated people wounded in Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023. (Click here to donate to Soroka Hospital to help them recover.)
Why did Israel take action now? Former Israeli ambassador to the US Ron Dermer told a US media outlet, "We launched this action to remove two existential threats. One is the nuclear threat, the second is the ballistic missile threat. So far we’ve exceeded our expectations. Dealing with these threats not only helps defend Israel, but also all of our Arab neighbors, who are also threatened by Iranian terrorism."
Many commentators have noted the timing of Israel's action against Iran. Several elements came together now. One: Iran had significantly increased its enrichment capacity and was getting very close to being able to produce nuclear bombs. Two: Last fall, Israel responded to a barrage from Iran by crippling Iranian air defenses, striking deep within Iran. That cleared the way for the Israeli Air Force to attack now with less risk. Three: the fact that President Donald Trump is in the White House and has supported Israel so strongly has helped immeasurably.
For the past week, Israelis have been living in or near their safe rooms or public shelters, hearing loud warning sirens and alerts, at all hours of the day and night, telling them to take shelter because another barrage from Iran is on the way. (See how the safe rooms have saved lives.)
The Israeli people are demonstrating incredible unity and resilience in this difficult time. Their faith, determination, and hope for the future are truly inspiring. We continue to pray for their safety, for a quick and successful end of the war, and for all the hostages to return home very soon.
Watch your mailbox for "RJC War Room" emails, which provides timely updates and highlights from key Republican leaders and decision-makers. We are tracking the latest breaking news on Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran and Republican responses here at home.
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John Ondrasik at the piano in Tel Aviv; sign showing hostage Alon Ohel.
Screenshots from Superman (For Alon, the Hostages, and their families)
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My 2001 Hit Song, ‘Superman,’ is for the Hostages in Gaza
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In an op-ed at the Wall Street Journal (paywall-free link here), singer/songwriter John Ondrasik (known by his stage name, Five for Fighting), writes about his song, "Superman". It became an anthem for the heroes of 9/11 in 2001, and Ondrasik re-released it in April of this year to support the hostages being held in Gaza, particularly Alon Ohel, a talented musician and pianist still being held in inhuman conditions by Hamas.
To his surprise, Ondrasik was attacked for his support of the hostages by people who think that "taking a stand—any stand—means choosing sides in someone else’s war. Yet the hostages aren't political. This is a basic moral issue." He concludes:
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Music is where we should be able to meet honestly without enmity. As I sing in "Superman," I’m not naive. I know a song can’t stop a war, but it can start a conversation. It can open a heart. It can remind us that behind every headline is a human being who bleeds and loves and cries just like we do.
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Watch the video of "Superman" dedicated to Alon Ohel, the hostages, and their families.
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We are proud to announce that award-winning singer/songwriter John Ondrasik will be performing at the RJC Leadership Summit in Las Vegas. Join us for an outstanding weekend with top GOP leaders and a very special evening with John Ondrasik by upgrading your membership and registering for the Leadership Summit. (Leadership dues begin at the $1,000 level.) We hope to see you there!
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Tucker Carlson speaking in Phoenix, Arizona, December 2022. Photo by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0
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The 'Woke Right' is Wrong on Iran
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RJC Board of Directors member Gabe Groisman writes at JNS about Israel's successful strikes against Iran's nuclear program and the strong, public, and concrete support that President Donald Trump and the US have provided to our ally Israel.
Still, as Groisman describes, there are those here in America on the "woke right," such as Tucker Carlson, who are trying to dissuade the President from giving that support. Media personalities such as Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro have been calling out the woke right isolationists and cataloguing the many reasons the US should back Israel's effort to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Groisman writes:
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In response to critics who claimed his support for Israel violates "America First" principles, Trump replied: "Well, considering that I’m the one that developed 'America First' … I’m the one that decides that. For those people who say they want peace, you can’t have peace if Iran has a nuclear weapon."
The horseshoe theory of politics, suggesting that those on the far-right and far-left land in similar positions, has never been more true. Today, statements by conservatives like Carlson and Candace Owens echo those of Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
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RJC in the News
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Mum’s the word on Israel striking Iran from likely 2028 Dem presidential hopefuls
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Sam Markstein, national political director and communications director at the Republican Jewish Coalition, told JNS that "the silence from prominent Democrats as Israel defends itself from the terrorist regime in Iran is deafening."
"Republicans, from President Donald Trump on down, are proudly and loudly standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Jewish state," he said. "Support for Israel should be bipartisan, especially when they are fighting an existential war to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
"This is a war of good versus evil, and sadly, today’s Democratic Party seems increasingly incapable of discerning the difference," he added.
…"The contrast is stark,” he said. “It’s a major reason why more and more Jewish Americans are moving to the Republican Party election after election."
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In US lawmakers’ response to Israel’s strike on Iran, sweeping support with signs of tension
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Much of the Republican caucus in both Congressional chambers exulted in the Israeli attacks and their ostensible success. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended the attack, posting a tweet on X declaring: "Israel IS right — and has a right — to defend itself!" Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned Iran that it "should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region." The Republican Jewish Coalition enthusiastically reposted GOP members praising Israel, and suggested that Trump was in on the planning.
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OU launches major push for school choice legislation in reconciliation bill
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The Orthodox Union on Thursday announced a national advocacy effort calling on the Senate to pass the Educational Choice for Children Act, which is part of the budget reconciliation bill recently passed by the House and under consideration in the Senate and could open up a new funding stream for Jewish families aiming to send their children to Jewish day schools.
… The legislation would create a federal tax credit program to fund private scholarship programs, which could be applied for a range of purposes including Jewish day schools. Agudath Israel of America and the Republican Jewish Coalition also support the bill. As it currently stands, the bill would allow $5 billion in total tax credits. OU is aiming to double that to $10 billion.
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Read our exclusive report for details about how the RJC moved voters across America to President Trump and the GOP.
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Morgan Ortagus joins US mission to the UN
Morgan Ortagus, who joined the Trump administration as Steve Witkoff’s deputy Middle East special envoy, is now a senior policy advisor at the US mission to the UN. Ortagus is close with Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s former national security advisor who is now his pick to serve as ambassador to the UN. Ortagus served as the State Department spokesperson during Trump’s first term, becoming a familiar face advocating for the
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Tobin: The anti-Israel, pro-Iran faction on the right lost Trump
The other big loser in this struggle is a "woke right" faction of the conservative movement in the United States that opposes Israel and has been fervently opposed to any action to stop Iran from gaining nuclear weapons. More to the point, this rag-tag group of talk-show hosts, right-wing influencers and social-media gurus who can’t seem to mention Israel without betraying their antisemitic tendencies has lost President Donald Trump. Or to be more precise, they never really had him.
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President Trump has always been clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon
The White House has collected the dozens of times that President Donald Trump has clearly stated that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. He has been consistent on this issue for many years.
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NEW DATE - GA: Event with Rep. Rich McCormick
This event has been rescheduled from an earlier date. Please join us for a conversation and legislative update featuring Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-07)
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RSVP
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AZ: Legislative Update in Scottsdale
Save the date for an exclusive event with Warren Petersen (R), President of the AZ Senate.
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RSVP
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AZ: Legislative Update in Sun City West
Save the date for an exclusive evening of insights and conversation with key Arizona legislators: AZ State Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll, and State Reps. Beverly Pingerelli and Alexander Kolodin.
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NV: Mahjong Women's Game Night
Join us for a fun and relaxing evening of Mahjong with fellow conservative Jewish women! All skill levels welcome.
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Republican Jewish Coalition
50 F Street, N.W., Suite 100 | Washington, DC 20001
202.638.6688 | [email protected]
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